“Race game,” said one lady; “how babyish these foreigners are!”
“I don't know, my dear,” replied her companion, apologetically. “Perhaps they gamble on it for high stakes.”
“Oh,” was the response, “of course that makes a difference!”
For the “At Home” the Kasagi was en fête, draped in flags, and generally looking her smartest. Even the engine-room was on show, though I only noticed one visitor venture there—a lady in a light fawn-coloured rig-out, not the best thing to penetrate the mysteries of an engine-room in. Perhaps, however, she contented herself with peeping in.
The main feature of the “At Home” was an entertainment given by the bluejackets. There was quite a long variety programme, with fencing between each “turn.” As these encounters are accompanied by wild yells every now and again on the part of the combatants, they are particularly interesting.
There was a conjuring entertainment, which mightily amused the crew, but perhaps puzzled the visitors somewhat as to what it was all about. The best thing of all was a song by a Japanese sailor—a monotonous chant that grew gradually louder, accompanied by various movements with a sword, suggesting that something exciting was about to happen. Then came in English, “That's all; you know!” It was well done, and its flat finale very amusing.
There were dances of various sorts, sack races, egg races, and a few other sports with which we are familiar, interesting here because the performers were Japanese, and also because of their intense zest and evident pleasure. Some English songs by Japanese sailors were one of the interesting bits, too.
Finally, on leaving, each lady guest was presented with a paper chrysanthemum. They had previously been asking the Japanese officers how they managed to get them to bloom in the summer season! The imitations and colouring were perfect. The material for construction: odd bits of paper and—Japanese bluejackets.